Reality Check: When Was the Last Time You Fully Completed a Game?

Are you really impacted by software droughts?

It\’s a serious question. We like to moan and groan when the release schedule for a particular platform doesn\’t look booked. But how many of us actually stop to ask ourselves how many unfinished games we still have sitting at home, let alone how long it would actually take us to complete them?

Sure, if you only own one home console or handheld platform, you\’re more likely to have a reason to complain, but if you\’re like most people – if you\’ll allow me to assume that – and own more than one platform, chances are that your backlog isn\’t getting any smaller. And if you\’re a PC gamer who has been taking advantage of the frequent sales and deals – let\’s just say you have no reason to be reading this.

If you owned a Wii U this year, you were at the lighter end in terms of software variety, but if Nintendo\’s official numbers have anything to say, the average Wii U owner bought six games in 2013 (on disc and digital). And again, according to Nintendo\’s million sellers list, chances are those six games most of the time were Super Mario 3D World, New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U, Wii Party U, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, and Pikmin 3. Other contenders may have been Lego City Undercover, Rayman Legends, or perhaps some other games.

In the end, you bought six games and maybe some more cheaper indie games. If HowLongToBeat.com has anything to say about it, completing these games would be no small task with some technically not even being beatable. Admittedly, however, buyers didn\’t have much of a selection on Wii U this year in terms of exclusives and Nintendo was lucky that the vast majority of their games turned out to be statistically solid experiences, the very best of the next generation home consoles in fact.

Nintendo 3DS\’s story was an entirely different one and it should be, when the difference between Nintendo\’s two current generation platforms is being best-selling and worst-selling. Such a contrast is why you don\’t hear too many people, if any at all, complaining about the 3DS\’s library, but we\’ll roll with it.

On average, each Nintendo 3DS owner bought a total of five games last year, which is quite impressive when considering 12.9 million units were sold during that year. According to Nintendo\’s million sellers list once again, chances are the games were most of the time Pokémon X/Pokémon Y, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team. Considering the nature of these five games, as well as other possible contenders, most plates were piled to the roof.

It\’s really the same story with every other platform that has gone through a drought period, including the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Vita. While Sony has neglected to provide any sales numbers for their handheld platform and, while its selection of games was a little more anemic than the Wii U\’s, Tearaway, Ys: Memories of Celceta, Killzone: Mercenary, and Soul Sacrifice are already a few exclusives that have proven to be worth owning — and that\’s on top of its existing library.

If we couple this with the assumption that most people own more than a single platform, there should be no room for complaining. So why have game droughts gained such notoriety in the first place? Well, as preached by Nintendo of America\’s own Reggie Fils-Aime, software sells hardware and if this, indeed, is the truth, certain successful hardware manufacturers cannot afford to have software droughts.

Keeping the year filled has everything to do with building the user base and little to do with keeping the current user base happy. Frankly, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, as well as other software manufacturers, are not obligated to keep you entertained. Sure, while it may be in their best interest to keep you satisfied, if they are planning to stay in the business for the long haul – something Warner Bros. doesn\’t seem to understand – in their mind, they already have your money.

Their next objective is to convince more prospects to hand over their cash, a task only achievable by keeping the platform well fed. It just so happens that you, the already persuaded consumer, benefit from this strategy as well. Fortunately for Nintendo, however, the worth of a platform isn\’t judged by the breadth of the latest release schedule but rather, by the entire library. Such is why Nintendo is more likely to see a spike in their sales this year, despite what seems to be yet another drought between the months of March and May 2014, whereas last year, they couldn\’t.

The number of players who do complain about a system having \’no games\’ or about it \’collecting dust\’ does beg another question. Are we buying into products that we actually had no interest in in the first place, simply because of the brand\’s name or because of the hype around the game? Are games from certain publishers getting shorter in length? That doesn\’t seem true. Maybe most gaming enthusiasts are as insatiable as Reggie says.

Whatever the reason, if you\’re someone with an abundance of games in your library right now — with most of them unfinished — you have one of two issues. Either you\’re consistently purchasing the wrong games — or the wrong hardware — because you bought too much into the identities of a corporation and opted to do little of your own research or you\’ve been spending too much time around opinions that insist that the software fields of your hardware is bare. The latter can also be applied to those who \’just know\’ the fields are bare, even though they haven\’t really done any of their own exploration and analysis.

If that sounds like you, you\’re missing out and would most definitely serve to gain from a list showing just how many statistically notable games are currently on a system, as well as from a list of future software. Nintendo Enthusiast is still shifting into the 2014 year, but so far, we\’ve already put up a list of 120+ indie games that are coming to the Wii U. To my surprise, there was a considerable amount of people who didn\’t even realize some of those games existed.

Be it PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo, what ends up happening when you spend your game time protesting a system\’s lineup is that you miss out on the generation. Can someone who spends more of their leisure time grumbling than actually playing games honestly call themselves enthusiasts or are they just interested in the drama?

And if we\’re not playing games, how can we possibly know what to complain about? I think it\’s time we finish up our leftovers. Let\’s not be the person who talks while their plate is piled high with food. Let\’s finish our helping and then assess what we\’re not satisfied with.

Responsible for updating news, producing editorials, and reviewing games. When not carrying out these responsibilities, he can be found achieving first place in Star Wars Battlefront 2 and Republic Commando online, designing games, listening to and creating music, and watching and producing animations. Did he mention how good he was at Star Wars Battlefront 2 and Republic Commando?

The last game I completed was W101 back in September. Fantastic game. My main problem is that I have been working too much so I don't have time to game nearly as much as I used to. The only game I own that I haven't even started yet though is Link Between Worlds....and that's because I feel like I need to finish Link to the Past first. I never owned an SNES so I didn't play it back in the day....I know....I know....I'm working on it though.

The last game I completed was W101 back in September. Fantastic game. My main problem is that I have been working too much so I don't have time to game nearly as much as I used to. The only game I own that I haven't even started yet though is Link Between Worlds....and that's because I feel like I need to finish Link to the Past first. I never owned an SNES so I didn't play it back in the day....I know....I know....I'm working on it though.
I just need to budget my time a little better.

TesticusSujaraka Omar T. (Acesonnall)You do realize he did a previous featue before about how the WiiU's 2013 lineup of games was actually pretty damn good?
The WiiU's not even having a drought.
Again this is a reality check.

I beat Super Mario 3D World, but I still need to 100% the game. I'm also still working on Rayman Legends and Wind Waker HD. I'm a pretty happy gamer, but I do really care about Nintendo as a company and want them to succeed. So I'm always hoping that they are making the best choices.

I beat Super Mario 3D World, but I still need to 100% the game. I'm also still working on Rayman Legends and Wind Waker HD. I'm a pretty happy gamer, but I do really care about Nintendo as a company and want them to succeed. So I'm always hoping that they are making the best choices.

Beating games make them less meaningful, having a part you are stuck on means you have reason to play. I beat Poke'mon Stadium a while back, all modes, and now it is basically a giant gameboy that plays 3 times faster.

Beating games make them less meaningful, having a part you are stuck on means you have reason to play. I beat Poke'mon Stadium a while back, all modes, and now it is basically a giant gameboy that plays 3 times faster.

Do we really need to be told again and again how the Wii U is a failure in the first year and with next to no games? My collection of 28 disc games, 22 eShop titles, and 51 Virtual Console games generally say otherwise to the claims of a "bad" year. Otherwise, it's a good article.

Should we really be consuming and pooping out games at such a fast rate? Luckily, I'm a bit of a completionist with games, especially games I love. I've managed to 100% New Super Mario Bros U & Luigi U, Lego City Undercover and Wind Waker. Also I'm close to perfecting Wonderful 101, 3D World, and a few others and will continue to try to complete each game as fully as possible before I sit back and bitch about how there aren't any new games this week. High horse? Maybe. Happy gamer? Def!

Do we really need to be told again and again how the Wii U is a failure in the first year and with next to no games? My collection of 28 disc games, 22 eShop titles, and 51 Virtual Console games generally say otherwise to the claims of a "bad" year. Otherwise, it's a good article.
Should we really be consuming and pooping out games at such a fast rate? Luckily, I'm a bit of a completionist with games, especially games I love. I've managed to 100% New Super Mario Bros U & Luigi U, Lego City Undercover and Wind Waker. Also I'm close to perfecting Wonderful 101, 3D World, and a few others and will continue to try to complete each game as fully as possible before I sit back and bitch about how there aren't any new games this week. High horse? Maybe. Happy gamer? Def!

Judging by your post, you've already completed ALBW. To complete only requires to "beat" the game. What you are referring to, is 100% complete on the game (which is different). I'm guessing if you've got all but 2 heart pieces, you already fought Ganon and seen the ending credits

Judging by your post, you've already completed ALBW. To complete only requires to "beat" the game. What you are referring to, is 100% complete on the game (which is different). I'm guessing if you've got all but 2 heart pieces, you already fought Ganon and seen the ending credits

UMMMMMMMMM.
I think I was really close to finishing FFX when it was still relevant, but I found out the ending, parked my characters in the Omega Ruins, and buried the game in the backyard.
It might've been Ocarina of Time back when N64 was out. Oh God.

UMMMMMMMMM.
I think I was really close to finishing FFX when it was still relevant, but I found out the ending, parked my characters in the Omega Ruins, and buried the game in the backyard.
It might've been Ocarina of Time back when N64 was out. Oh God.

"Fully completing" a game is nonsense. I'm not playing Mirror Mode in Donkey Kong Country, EX Mode in Kirby or Hero Mode in Zelda. These extra challenges are added to increase theoretical play time, not the time it takes you to finish the game. I beat all three of those games in the last month, and guess what? I was satisfied.

I'm not playing the same game again by myself with slightly different restrictions. Now I usually take my time with games, a few stages at a time, but the Wii U is a barren desert for the next three months.

It's not like there are no improvements that could be added to current software : Wii Fit needs a patch like mad, so does Art Academy. Online play would increase the actual play time of NSMBU, DKC, 3D World, and especially Nintendoland & Pikmin, which, let's face it, feature multiplayer modes that many people have never used.

The virtual console selection is crap. It heavily favors NES games instead of incredible SNES games like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy V. The weekly game drip is pathetic, and it's a possibility N64 games are not coming this year. When they do, it'll be one game per virtual console per week and it'll be 2018 before you get the game you like.

Reality check: indie games aren't going to carry the Wii U for the next 3 months.

"Fully completing" a game is nonsense. I'm not playing Mirror Mode in Donkey Kong Country, EX Mode in Kirby or Hero Mode in Zelda. These extra challenges are added to increase theoretical play time, not the time it takes you to finish the game. I beat all three of those games in the last month, and guess what? I was satisfied.
I'm not playing the same game again by myself with slightly different restrictions. Now I usually take my time with games, a few stages at a time, but the Wii U is a barren desert for the next three months.
It's not like there are no improvements that could be added to current software : Wii Fit needs a patch like mad, so does Art Academy. Online play would increase the actual play time of NSMBU, DKC, 3D World, and especially Nintendoland & Pikmin, which, let's face it, feature multiplayer modes that many people have never used.
The virtual console selection is crap. It heavily favors NES games instead of incredible SNES games like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy V.

I completed Super Mario World a few months back, I think though that is the only game I've ever completed. I don't really complete games that often. I AM TRYING to complete ALBW BUT THERE ARE 2 FRICKEN HEART PIECES THAT I CAN'T FIND!!!

I completed Super Mario World a few months back, I think though that is the only game I've ever completed. I don't really complete games that often. I AM TRYING to complete ALBW BUT THERE ARE 2 FRICKEN HEART PIECES THAT I CAN'T FIND!!!

If by that you mean 100% completion, then not that often.
If you mean beating the last whatever and seeing the end credits, then that's kind of my thing. The only time I won't (eventually) see something through to the end is if it's just that terrible. Granted, I have been subject to a growing backlog recently, but that's due to extenuating reasons and not a lack of desire to finish games.
To directly answer the question, I most recently finished Project X Zone, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze should be next.

If by that you mean 100% completion, then not that often.
If you mean beating the last whatever and seeing the end credits, then that's kind of my thing. The only time I won't (eventually) see something through to the end is if it's just that terrible. Granted, I have been subject to a growing backlog recently, but that's due to extenuating reasons and not a lack of desire to finish games.
To directly answer the question, I most recently finished Project X Zone, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze should be next.

I don't care about doing every side quest and getting 100% of everything in 99% of games I play. Completing the main story is usually enough for me. I find that getting absolutely everything in most games just gets boring and repetitive. I guess the last time I fully completed a game was sometime last year... I think it was New Super Luigi U.

I don't care about doing every side quest and getting 100% of everything in 99% of games I play. Completing the main story is usually enough for me. I find that getting absolutely everything in most games just gets boring and repetitive. I guess the last time I fully completed a game was sometime last year... I think it was New Super Luigi U.

Just about a month ago... A Link Between Worlds. I am really close to the end of 3D Worlds. (only have the last battle to go), but then I plan on trying to 100% that game with all the stars and stamps. And, just beginning my DK Tropical Freeze journey. I'm about 50% into Wind Waker as well, but I'm taking my time with that one

Just about a month ago... A Link Between Worlds. I am really close to the end of 3D Worlds. (only have the last battle to go), but then I plan on trying to 100% that game with all the stars and stamps. And, just beginning my DK Tropical Freeze journey. I'm about 50% into Wind Waker as well, but I'm taking my time with that one

I have plenty of games I don't finish. I at least make it a point to play through it to some extent though. I'm currently playing Bravely Default (30 hours in) and DKCTF (5th World). I want to be done with both by the time I get Tales of Symphonia Chronicles and South Park. The problem I have is finishing all of the side stuff. I used to do that in games up through the Gamecube era because I didn't buy many games but now with disposable income, I buy anything on a whim. Sad sad sad. I just try to ignore my Steam library. I think I have over 100 games on there thanks to the Humble Bundles.

I have plenty of games I don't finish. I at least make it a point to play through it to some extent though. I'm currently playing Bravely Default (30 hours in) and DKCTF (5th World). I want to be done with both by the time I get Tales of Symphonia Chronicles and South Park. The problem I have is finishing all of the side stuff. I used to do that in games up through the Gamecube era because I didn't buy many games but now with disposable income, I buy anything on a whim. Sad sad sad. I just try to ignore my Steam library. I think I have over 100 games on there thanks to the Humble Bundles.